Taxi Licensing - Information for new applicants - Print version

Applicants for Taxi and Private Hire licences

New applicants for private hire driver's licences can pick up application packs from the security gate at the London Road entrance of Whitley Depot, CV3 4AR. Application documents are also available on this website.

The following information documents are downloadable, however the applicant is still required to contact the Taxi Licensing Office to be sent an application form and then book an appointment to submit with their application in person at the Taxi Licensing Office.

The Taxi Licensing Office does not accept applications for new or existing licences through the post. The entrance to the Taxi Licensing Office is Whitley Depot but via the Humber Road entrance. You must have booked an appointment otherwise you will not be allowed to enter the depot.

The register of Revocations, Suspensions and Refusals will be consulted in connection with your application/renewal. Your personal data will be placed on this register if at any time your licence is revoked or renewal refused.

Information documents

• Taxi Licensing Policy 2026 to 2031 [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/39282/taxi-licensing-policy-document-2022-2027]
• Driver Information [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/417/driver_information_document] (Hackney Carriage Private Hire)
• Vehicle Proprietors [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/418/vehicle_proprietors_information] (Hackney Carriage and Private Hire)
• Operator Information [/downloads/download/419/operator_information_document] (Private Hire)
• Road Knowledge [/downloads/download/423/road_knowledge_information_document] Information Document (Hackney Carriage only) - this is knowledge that applicant drivers require
• Vehicle Inspection Manual [/downloads/download/1635/vehicle_inspection_manual]
• Driver Training Course Notes [/downloads/download/1687/driver_training_course_notes]
• DBS Update Service Applicant Guide [/downloads/download/3340/dbs_update_service_applicant_guide]
• DBS Online Disclosure Guide – Applicant Guidance Notes [/downloads/download/3339/coventry_city_council_dbs_applicant_guidance_notes]
• Hackney Carriage Driver and Private Hire Driver Sites and Road Location Information Document for testing on the Driver Training Course [/downloads/file/28703/hackney_carriage_and_private_hire_locationssites_with_road_names_information_document]
• Department for Transport Statutory Taxi & Private Hire Vehicle Standards July 2020 [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/6357/dft_statutory_taxi_and_private_hire_vehicle_standards_july_2020]
• Information about Certificate of Good Conduct [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7206/certificate-of-good-conduct-critera]
• Suggested PHO Contractural Template [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7320/pho-contractural-template---between-passengers-and-operator] between operator and passengers 

Application documents

• Hackney Carriage Driver First Grant Application Form [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7596/hackney-carriage-driver-first-grant-application]
• Private Hire Driver First Grant Application Form [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7597/private-hire-driver-first-grant-application]
• Hackney Carriage Vehicle Proprietor's Application Form [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/5950/form---hcv-application]
• Private Hire Vehicle Proprietor's Application Form [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/5951/form---phv-application]
• Private Hire Operator Application Form [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7598/private-hire-operator-application]

The above documents are regularly updated therefore you should ensure that you are consulting the most recent when submitting an application.

Hackney Carriage Vehicle Owner's Handbooks and Brochures are available below to download. The Owner's Handbooks in particular show how to correctly secure a wheelchair;

• TX4 Owners Handbook [/downloads/download/2171/owners_handbook_tx4]
• TX4 Euro 5 Brochure [/downloads/download/2173/london_taxi_tx4_euro_5_brochure]
• Mercedes Vito Owners Handbook [/downloads/download/2172/owners_handbook_mercedes_vito]

Loading of wheelchair into a hackney carriage vehicle

The following video shows a manual wheelchair being correctly and safely loaded and secured in a hackney carriage vehicle;

The following video shows an electric-powered wheelchair being correctly and safely loaded and secured in a hackney carriage vehicle;

View the LEVC TX Electric Hybrid wheelchair loading instructions [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ3xRIwgHqM].

Privacy Notice - read how we use your data. [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/19/licensing_and_regulation/3222/taxi_licensing_privacy_notice]

Taxi Licensing legislation

There are two main Acts, which cover Hackney Carriage and Private Hire:

• Town Police Clauses Act 1847
• Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

Both of these Acts are obtainable from Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO) [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/]. The main central library in Coventry holds a copy of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 together with Coventry City Council's by-laws, which gives additions to this Act.

The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022 also applies;

 A driver of a hackney carriage or private hire vehicle where a vehicle has been booked by or for a disabled person or another person accompanied by a disabled person that the driver has been made aware of before the start of the passenger’s journey that the passenger requires assistance to identify or find that vehicle.